The Waste Vanguard

Thomas Metzger

Wed, 2009-07-01 12:00

Honoring the best and the brightest in the solid waste industry.

More than two dozen men and women were honored for their service to the solid waste industry at an awards ceremony on June 9, sponsored by the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC). The ceremony was held in Las Vegas during Waste Expo 2009, North America's largest solid waste and recycling tradeshow.

The honorees included five new inductees to the EIA Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry and the community over the course of more than 20 years:

Richard “Red” Gagnon, owner of The Master Garbologist and Full Cycle Composting in Westfield, Mass., was one of the first haulers to use front-loading trucks in western Massachusetts. Gagnon also was a member of the NSWMA Massachusetts Chapter, serving as chair and a representative on the Board of Governors. He played an instrumental role in passing legislation to build the first paper recycling plant in the state. Gagnon is involved in a number of community organizations and helps raise funds for special needs and disadvantaged children.

Mike Knaub, senior vice president and managing director for Schaefer Systems International's waste technology division, participated on the WasteExpo exhibitor advisory committee, the WASTEC ANSI Z245 full committee and the cart systems subcommittee. He was appointed to the WASTEC Board of Governors in 2000, served as WASTEC Board Vice Chairman from 2004 to 2006, and served as Chairman of the WASTEC Board of Governors from 2006 to 2008. In 2001, he was named WASTEC member of the year. Knaub also has been very active with the Solid Waste Association of North America, the American Public Works Association, the Detachable Container Association, Rotary International and Toys for Tots.

John McLaughlin is owner and president of Scranton Manufacturing, a family-owned producer of front-, rear- and side-loaders as well as satellite and recycling bodies. The company has expanded its facilities four times, added a second factory in Iowa and has joint ventures in China. It built more than 280 garbage trucks for the Beijing Olympics. McLaughlin also serves on the boards of Men for Missions International and OMS International.

William J. Rumpke, Sr., is president, CEO, and chairman of the board at Rumpke Consolidated Companies, and Thomas B. Rumpke was an owner, co-president, and CEO of Rumpke Consolidated Companies until his death in 2004. The Rumpke cousins grew the company that Bill's father had started in 1932 into one of the largest privately-owned waste and recycling hauling companies in the United States with 2,300 employees, 1,700 trucks, eight landfills, eight recycling centers and 20 transfer stations. The Rumpkes are very active in the communities that they serve, supporting the Boy Scouts, schools, hospitals and local events.

“We are honored to recognize Red, Mike, John, Tom and Bill for their life-long dedicated service to the waste industry and the communities they serve,” said EIA President and CEO Bruce J. Parker. “Their achievements in professional and community initiatives have made them powerful examples of leadership in the waste and recycling industry. Each exemplifies the best qualities of being Environmentalists. Every Day.”